It seems that nothing can stop Disney from branching out into more and more avenues of fun. And with the franchise’s massive fan base, practically everything which suggests of Disney is sure to pick up a following. Family-oriented Disney Cruises, which have been into the cruising industry for sometime, is therefore an experience which has been anticipated years before its conception. Disney Cruises cater to all niche groups, but are particularly geared to the family, and to the hardcore fanatics who can’t get enough of everything that is Disney.

The Disney Experience is mainly an onboard affair, although there are several opportunities for onshore activities and port stops. The two ships in the Cruise line’s fleet - Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, sail within the Caribbean, with the former taking seven-night voyages on both the east and west regions, and the latter handling three to four-day trips to the Bahamas. The difference between the two floating theme parks ends here, as both offer similar family-oriented amenities and entertainment, and both dock at Disney’s privately owned island, at Castaway Cay in the Bahamas.

Entertainment is the main event at Disney Cruise ships, not a sideshow for capping the evening. Stage productions with large castings and elaborate special effects, with all aspects minutely coordinated and perfectly executed, will leave you gasping in awe; otherwise you won’t be able to suppress a smirk of childlike wonder. You’ll be able to enjoy the first screenings of premium Disney films, months ahead of their public release. As for adult dining and distraction, there’s the Italian gourmet resto Palo, as well as Cove Cafe’, where you can lounge on comfy couches and check your email while the children frolic about the ship. Diversions resembles an English sports pub, and is an appropriate hangout for sports fanatics. There are the casino-disco hybrid hangouts - Beat Street on Disney Magic and Route 66 on Disney Wonder, entertainment areas geared specifically for grown-ups. The ships’ prime attractions, Walt Disney Theater and Studio Sea, can wow even the crankiest adult which dares venture into the realm of juvenile fun.

At Castaway Cay, kids and teens can enjoy a snorkeling adventure through fifteen acres of living coral reefs, participate in supervised games appropriate for all age groups, follow bicycle trails, or course the waves on a sailboat. Pump your adrenaline with kayak trips, or be more adventurous and try your hand in navigating a raft. As if the kids hadn’t had enough, there are plenty of preoccupations once you go back on board. Both ships offer Oceaneer Club activities which occupy an entire deck, with supervised functions for all children aged three to eight. The pre-teens can enjoy state-of-the-art interactive functions at the Oceaneer Lab.

The Disney Experience won’t be complete without the familiar characters in the flesh (well, almost), as there are more chances for bumping into Mickey on board than anywhere within the numerous Disney theme parks scattered all over the globe. If you want to go on a cruise with real family fun, a voyage which you and your children can enjoy to the fullest, Disney Cruises should rank high on your list, whether you are a first-timer or a seasoned cruiser.